BY WADE KELLER, PWTORCH EDITOR

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WWE OVER THE LIMIT PPV BLOG
MAY 22, 2011
SEATTLE, WASH.

(Remember a more detailed virtual-time straight-forward match-by-match report is available on the PWTorch main listing by James Caldwell. I will blog below throughout the show with my reaction to key moments while also covering the basics.)

-Comment below in our new and improved reader comments area. I'll be checking on your comments throughout the show and afterward. You can "Like" this article on Facebook, too!

-They opened with a screen shot of "Macho Man" Randy Savage acknowledging his death.

-Josh Mathews introduced the show. It's a four-man announce team, though, with Jerry Lawler, Booker T, and (in his cage) Michael Cole. Lawler was hoarse.

1 -- R-TRUTH vs. REY MYSTERIO

-It was odd seeing Truth walk to the ring without music. Truth said the fans should't be booing him, they should be booing themselves. He said they don't deserve the truth, but they're going to get it.

-"It's all about parking lots," said Truth. He said he had to park with the stank-filled hippies, and that's not his style.

-Good to hear Mathews standing up for Rey and challenging Cole's heel commentary early tonight.

-Rey hit a nice head scissors takedown off the ring apron at 1:00.

-Booker sort of defended Truth's change of attitude, saying his lack of the success he wanted despite playing up to the fans messed with his mind.

-At 7:00 Rey hit a bulldog off the second rope for a two count, then hit a crossbody for a two count.

-Booker T: "Rey Mysterio is all over him like a cheap coat, like that one you got on right now, Cole."

-Truth crotched Rey on the ring apron, then clotheslined him to the mat at ringside. Back in the ring he gave him his finisher for the relatively clean win.

-A big win for Truth as he continues to get a strong push. Rey seems like he should be a bigger star than doing jobs in the opening match.

WINNER: Truth in 8:00. Basic solid opener. (**)

-Todd Grisham interviewed The Miz, with Alex Riley, about facing Cena later. He said he's never quit at anything in life.

-The announcers talked about the Wade Barrett vs. Ezekiel Jackson IC Title match. Cole also took a dig at Lawler, predicting he'll make him kiss his feet later.

2 - WADE BARRETT vs. EZEKIEL JACKSON - Intercontinental Title Match

-Someone chanted "Boring!" in the opening seconds. That's pretty rough. Although maybe he had a crystal ball, as it wasn't particularly exciting.

-Jackson brought the bodyslam back with a series of them in a row, then he lifted Barrett into the torture rack. Health Slater and Justin Gabriel ran out and interfered. The ref called for the DQ.

-They continued to attack Zeke for several minutes including Barrett giving him a boot to the face as Gabriel and Slater held him in place.

WINNER: Jackson via DQ in 6:00. Passable. (*1/4)

-Backstage C.M. Punk and Mason Ryan discovered Michael McGillicutty and David Otunga and writhing in pain on the floor. Punk said it's okay and told Mason to focus on winning the tag team titles instead of worrying about what happened to them. Punk told them to "walk it off." Cole called them a great, inspirational leader.

3 -- SIN CARA vs. CHAVO GUERRERO

-Booker compared Sin Cara's landing on his feet at ringside to the agility of a ballerina. Don't they say, "It's not ballet!" I guess they were wrong.

-I still expect a commercial break every time wrestlers crash into one another at ringside and are slow to get up.

-I'm still not blown awayby Sin Cara. I think Ultimo Dragon, in the context of his early matches in WCW, was way way more flashy and impressive than Cara. Cara did start showing some fire during his offensive flurries, and the crowd seemed to respond to his acknowledging them.

-Cara won with an awkwardly executed finisher, sort of a tilt-a-whirl wraparound facebuster.

-Mathews called Cara's offense spectacular. It's not spectacular enough to make up for his limitations in connecting with fans. I'm just not sold on him yet being anything more than a mid-card novelty act based on everything.

WINNER: Cara in 7:00. (*3/4)

-A WWE anti-bullying commercial aired.

-Grisham interviewed Christian and Randy Orton together backstage. Grisham asked Christian if it's eating away him for losing his first World Title in "five days." Christian said Orton didn't do anything he wouldn't have done himself. He said he'd probably be freaking out more if he didn't think he would regain it tonight. He told Orton he knows it, too. Orton said he's a heel of a competitor and his is a great, feel-good story, but he already lost to him and he will again.

-Alberto Del Rio did some mic work. He accused the fans in Washington State being sneaky Canadians who illegally entered the country. He said it's only a matter of time before he takes his place as the WWE Champion. Destiny cannot be stopped, he said. Kane and Big Show interrupted. Kane said he's already upset the rapture didn't come yesterday. He said if he doesn't leave the ring now, he'll end up like McGillicutty and Otunga.

4 -- KANE & BIG SHOW vs. C.M. PUNK & MASON RYAN -- WWE Tag Team Title Match

-I think the crowd chanted "Ba-ti-sta" at Mason at the start.

-The heels teamed up on Kane for several minutes. Big Show got a hot tag, cleared the ring of Punk, and then Kane and Show double-chokeslammed Mason. Show scored the pin.

WINNERS: Show & Kane in 9:00. (*1/4)

-The announcers threw to one of those "clever" commercials for a PPV that has nothing to do with anything other than some marketing team proving that WWE doesn't take this fake wrestling stuff seriously. They interspersed fake reporter questions with footage of President Obama answering questions with vague answers about next month's "Capitol Punishment" PPV. It wasn't funny at all. You could tell because Lawler and Mathews couldn't even muster anything close to believable fake laughs afterward. The names of these off-brand PPVs are just not a factor.

5 -- BRIE BELLA (w/Nikki Bella) vs. KELLY KELLY - Divas Title Match

-They kept it basic for Kelly, including a rather long armbar.

-In the end, the Bellas switched places with the fresh Nikki finishing off Kelly.

-Cole said he was surprised there was no Kharma tonight. He said that, though, shortly before Kharma's music usually starts playing, so he was presumptuous in assuming she wasn't coming out, and thus it seemed orchestrated.

WINNER: Brie in 4:00.

6 -- RANDY ORTON vs. CHRISTIAN -- World Title Match

-Booker T said this is the type of match that gives him goosebumps, "if you understand what I'm saying."

-Some nice sports-like commentary at the start of the match, with analysis of the nuanced differences in styles between these two.

-In the early minutes, both Christian and Orton kept their streaks alive of applying rudimentary chinlocks and side headlocks.

-Booker T: "Who wants it most!"

-At 10:00 Orton did the Orton Stomp all over Christian's body, then he applied a submission where he applied basically a Boston Crab, but facing forward rather than backward. Christian reached the bottom rope.

-The crowd battled with "Let's Go Randy!" and "Let's Go Christian!" It faded pretty quickly, though.

-Christian blocked an RKO attempt at 15:00. He then yelled, "Spear! Spear! Spear!" When he charged at Orton with a spear attempt, Orton turned it into a snap powerslam for a believable near fall.

-At 17:00 Christian did nail the spear, but Orton kicked out. Christian then set up his Unprettier, but Orton escaped and surprised Christian with an RKO for the win.

-Booker T said regarding the 18 minute match: "That was about 30 minutes of action personified." What?!?!

-Almost epic-feeling, and for a World Title match put on before a Michael Cole vs. Jerry Lawler gimmick match, that's a good accomplishment. These two showed they are pros and they came out to really put something special together.

WINNER: Orton in18:00 to retain the World Hvt. Title. (****)

-Afterward, Orton helped Christian up. Christian shoved him and left, but then quickly returned and shook his hand. When he walked away, he rubbed his head like wrestlers do when they're conveying that they're conflicted and going through a possible attitude change. They continue to do a nice job telling a story with Christian and the World Title losses.

7 -- JERRY LAWLER vs. MICHAEL COLE

-Jerry Lawler made his full ring intro for his match. Michael Cole limped to the ring wearing a suit. He said as much as he'd like to compete, he is unfortunately medically prohibited. He asked for understanding and compassion from Lawler and the fans. He said his athlete's foot became infected and it's become unsafe. He said if he stuck his foot in Lawler's mouth, Lawler could get "hoof and mouth disease." He handed the ref the doctor's note. The ref read the note, smiled, tore up the note, and called for the bell. Didn't Karen Angle did this same bit on last Sunday's TNA PPV?

-Lawler attacked Cole and tore apart his suite. At ringside Cole begged off, but then yanked Lawler face-first into the ringside steps. That's already too much offense for Cole. Cole then threw Lawler into the ringside barrier. Cole then took off his boot and waved his infected foot in Lawler's face. Lawler recovered like it was smelling salt. He shoved Cole into his glass cage, which collapsed. Lawler threw Cole into the ring, hit hit a fistdrop, and scored the pin.

-Lawler began taking his boot off, but then called Eve to the ring. Mathews said Cole has been disrespecting the Divas. She moonsault Cole off the top rope. The crowd chanted, "Jerry! Jerry!" Lawler then waved to the stage again and out walked Jim Ross. Ross poured BBQ sauce on Cole's chest and then into his mouth and then all over his face.

-Cole rolled out of the ring before he kissed Lawler's foot. Eve, Ross, and Lawler invited Cole back to the ring. Coles said, "Not like this! No!" He said it might look like he lost, but he's no loser. He said J.R. and Ross are big losers, as are the fans. He said he never did and never will kiss Lawler's foot. "No way, it is not happening!" Then out walked Bret Hart, a surprise enforcer. If Cole had agreed to kiss Lawler's foot, would Bret have had an opportunity to appear on camera? Just askin'.

-Bret put Cole in the Sharpshooter. Lawler then shoved his foot in Cole's face. BBQ sauce got all over Lawler's toes as he shoved them in Cole's mouth.

-It's good that Cole finally got shown up and humiliated, as that chapter needed to be told, but this went on too long. The surprise of Bret making an appearance almost made up for it, but not quite.

-Bret slapped hands at ringside as Ross joined Mathews and Booker at ringside. Josh was having a better-than-average night for him, but if Ross sticks around for the main event, it's a welcome addition to the show, for sure.

-WINNER: Lawler.

8 -- JOHN CENA vs. THE MIZ (w/Alex Riley) -- WWE Title Match

-Booker said Miz went from not being allowed to change in the same locker room as the other wrestlers and he's made it to the top.

-Mathews plugged Capitol Punishment and noted that the President's Cabinet, Congress, and the Pentagon have been invited. Are they going to try to get politicians to attend the shows in an effort to buddy-up to them so they can shape their perception of their "core business"? When I was a kid, Senator Rudy Boschiwitz often attended AWA live events in the front row.

-Miz took the mic at the start of the match. He said since there are no rules, he can hit him with a chair, throw him off the stage, and batter him with the steel steps, plus Riley can do it, too. Riley jumped into the ring exposing the ludicrous nature of the rules of the match. Miz then told Cena to save himself the embarrassment and pain and quit right now. Cena said "hell no" and then jump-started the match.

-Miz took on both Riley and Miz. Eventually the two-on-one was too much for Cena.

-Fans battle-chanted, "Let's go Cena!" and "Cena sucks!"

-The heel duo beat up Cena for several minutes at ringside. Miz kept asking him to quit. Cena refused and said, "Go to hell!"

-Miz bashed Cena with a kendo stick several times. The ref asked if he quit. Cena paused, but then said no.

-They beat him up on the entrance stage next. Miz whipped him with the belt he got off of a camera man at ringside. He said he was going to repeatedly whip him with it unless he quit. Cena wouldn't. Miz whipped him. Cena seemed to think about it this time, but finally said, "No."

-Miz ordered Riley to go get a chair. Miz bashed Cena across the back at ringside. In the ring, Cena made a superman comeback out of nowhere, avoiding a chairshot and then throwing Riley into the ref. Miz interjected himself with an inverted DDT on Cena. Ross wondered aloud how many times Cena could say no.

-Miz gave Cena a Skull Crushing Finale onto a chair. Miz said since Cena won't say "I quit," he will ask someone else. He asked a kid in the front row if he wants to see Cena go through any more pin. The kid said no. He told the kid to tell Cena to quit. The kid yelled, "Never!" Miz hit Cena with the mic and told that kid in the front row he's doing that to him. He said he won't stop until he says I Quit. He told the kid to tell him to quit. The kid said no. Miz hit Cena in the head with a mic again.

-Miz leaned in to Cena and said he won't quit until he says those magic two words. Cena said, "Those kids are smarter than you are." Miz swung the chair at Cena's head, hitting the security railing rather than Cena's head. Riley then told Cena to say, "I quit!" The p.a. system blared, "I quit!" in Cena's voice. Miz's music played and the ref awarded him the win. Miz and Riley celebrated. Booker said Cena's head was down the sound was muffled.

-The ref discovered a recorder at ringside. He played it and heard a recording of Cena saying, "I quit!" The ref withdrew his decision. Miz and Riley protested. The ref replayed the recording, then said, "This match will restart right now." Miz and RIley protested. Booker said Cena is still in a bad state.

-Riley swung the WWE Title belt at Cena, but Cena ducked and Riley knocked Miz down. Cena got up and drove Riley through the table at ringside with an Attitude Adjustment. Cena then looked over at Miz, showing no signs of having taken a beating for nearly a half hour. Cena took his belt off and whipped Miz. Ross said he was whipping him like a government mule. Cena chased Miz down as Miz tried to escape to the back. Cena applied an STF and the ref asked if Miz quit. Miz said, "I quit!"

-Cena's superman comebacks are too much. He just seemed to get totally better out of nowhere twice in that match. The sudden win over Miz after the ref restarted the match also just felt forced and sudden. The beatdown by Miz and Riley dragged. The finish with the recording probably seemed clever to some fans, but others called it ahead of time when Cena yelled "I quit" at the end of Raw last week. The match dragged overall. This is one of my least favorite match formats.

WINNER: Cena to retain the WWE Title in 25:00. (*1/2)

RECOMMENDATION: I wouldn't recommend a reply of this show. One very good match, some decent undercard action, but overall it didn't add up to a particularly good show. Just okay.

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